Sentinel & Enterprise (Fitchburg, MA)

February 18, 2008
Section: Local

Locals take the ice to raise money for fourth-grader

Damien Fisher

ASHBURNHAM -- The seventh annual Ashburnham-Westminster Community Benefit Hockey Game is being held to raise money for fourth-grader Rachel Lee, who has been diagnosed with inoperable brain tumor. State Trooper Dave Napolitano, who is organizing the event and knows the girl's family, says the family was devastated when they learned about her diagnosis.

"She's a very popular girl," he said.

Napolitano and his wife, Betsy, are the main organizers behind the event.

This is the seventh year the couple has organized the event.

Napolitano said their involvement began nine years ago when Betsy Napolitano was diagnosed with non-Hodgskins lymphoma.

"Some of the other troopers put on an event for us," he said.

Two years later, with Betsy's cancer in remission, the couple decided they wanted to give back to the community.

This year's event will be held on Saturday, March 29 at Iorio Arena on the campus of Cushing Academy and features local police and firefighters squaring off against members of the Worcester Tornadoes, and former National Hockey League and U.S. Olympic players Scott Young and Ted Crowley.

Former Patriot Joe Andruzzi will make an appearance too, Napolitano said.

The event will raise money to help Lee's family with the cost of her medical treatments, Napolitano said.

The hockey games typically raise about $10,000.

"It's all 100 percent donations," he said.

Food, soda, bottled water and items for a Chinese auction have all been donated to help with the evening, he said.

The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Cushing Academy. School officials always donate the venue for the event, Napolitano said.

Besides the Napolitanos, Oakmont Regional High School Principal David Uminski and Westminster Police Officer Jason Weatherbee are helping to put on the game.

People who can't get to the game, but still want to help Lee, can send checks made out to Rachel Lee to the Athol Savings Bank in Ashburnham, Napolitano said.

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